Wheeled toy



A. J. DUBE Dec. 2.6, 1950 WHEELED TOY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1946 lure/liar Attorneys A. J. DUBE WHEELED TOY Dec. 26, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1946 Aimee J. Dube By z, Mc

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Dec. 26, 1950 l A. J. DUBE 2,535,395

WHEELED TOY v Filed Deo. 6, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l 7a 74 1,0 I" I Inventor Aimee J. Dube Patented Dec. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEELED TOY Aimee J. Dube, Troy, N. Y.

Application December `6, 1946, Serial N o. 714,572

3 lClaims. l

This invention relates to toys and amusement devices and more particularly to a wheeled toy contemplated to afford considerable enjoyment to observers due to its uniqueness and novelty of operation.

An important object of the invention is to provide a toy in the form of a substantially large rolling annulus on the inner circumference of which is mounted a motivating unit for imparting rotary motion to the annulus to cause the same to roll along a surface without the application of external energy.

Another object of 'the invention is to provide a toy of the character stated which may simulate in fantasy a type of war machine that may be used in the future.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a wheeled toy which may be used by children in races and other competitions.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentl to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the toy with a portion in section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational View, partly in section and fragmentarily showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section showing a third form of the invention.

VFigure 6 is a section taken on line 6--6 of Figure 5.

Figure 'l is a cross sectional View fragmentarily showing still another form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in Figure 1, numeral 5 denotes a hollow annulus of suitable material and preferably having a thin tread covering or tire 6 of resilient material. The annulus at its inner circumferential portion has outstanding flanges 6a, 6a. Inside of the annulus is a motivating unit generally referred to by numeral 9, which consists of a frame I0 having a formation simulating a seat upon which a ligure, simulating a man and denoted by numeral II is disposed in a sitting position, preferably holding a simulated steering wheel I2. The ends of the frame I0 have axles I3 disposed therethrough and on these are wheels I4 riding in the outer grooves 8 of the annulus flanges 6a. In the frame be wound by a key and stem I6, this mechanism including a driving shaft on which is a gear II, which meshes with a ring gear I8 on one of the flanges 6a. `(See Figure 2.) Depending from the side portions of the frame I3 are side walls I9 on the inner sides of which are mounted rollers 28 for riding the undersides of the flanges Sa, as in the manner shown in Figure 2.

Leg members 2i, 2| extend outwardly and downwardly from the side walls I9 and declining slightly toward the rear of the motivating unit 9, as in the manner shown in Figure 1. The lower ends of these legs 2l carry wheels 22, which ride the surface on which the annulus rolls.

An arm 23 suitably supported by the frame I0 has a yoke 24 at its lower end, in which a vehicle weight member 25 is rotatably mounted, this weight being concealed within the hollow annulus 5.

In the operation of this toy, the clock mechanism I5 is rst wound by the key and stem I5. Upon the mechanism being released, the gear Il will cause the motivating unit 9 to ride the inner circumference or anges 6a of the annulus and due to the gravitating effect of the weight 25, rolling motion will be imparted to the annulus 5, while the annulus is held upright and stabilized by the ground riding wheels 22.

A modification of the invention is shown in Figure 3, wherein numeral 26 denotes an annulus having a resilient tread covering 21, this annulus having an inturned flange 28 at one side of its y inner circumference and an outstanding forma- I0 is a conventional clock mechanism, adapted to 55 tion 29 spaced from the flange 28 to dene a shoulder 30.

Numeral 3l denotes a motivating unit which consists of a frame 32 on which is mounted a miniature swingable cannon 33. The frame 32 contains a clock mechanism generally referred to by numeral 34, this being adapted to be wound by a stem and key 35, the clock mechanism driving a gear 36, which meshes with a ring gear 3l on the flange 28.

Depending from a lug 38 on the frame 32 is a swingable yoke 39 in which a rotatable weight 40 is mounted, this being concealed within the hollow annulus 26.

Leg members 4I project outwardly and downwardly from the side walls of the frame 32 and have wheels 42 at their lower ends for riding the surface on which the annulus rolls. Brace members 43 extend downwardly to the legs 4I, these brace members 43 extending from the ends of a cross shaft 44 on which is a vertical hand lever inside of the frame 32, riding these portions of the annulus 26. The weight 40 in its gravitating effect on the annulus 26, will cause the annulus to roll along the supporting surface.

Figures 5 and 6 show another form of the in Vention, numeral 41 disclosing an annulus, the side portions of which can be struck out to provide openings 48, if desired. The inner circumferential portion of the annulus 41 has outstanding flanges 49, which are straddled by grooved rollers 5l on the lateral flanges 52 of a frame 53, which Supports a swingable toy cannon 54, with,- in the casing portion of which is a clock mech.- anism adapted to be wound by a key 55, the clock mechanism drives a gear 51 on a shaft 58 supported by the frame 5,3, the shaft 58 having a gear 59 thereon meshing with a ring gear 60 on the annulus flange 49. Swingably supported by the frame 53 is a yoke 6| supporting a rotatable weight 52 of spherical form.

When the spring motor, contained in the casing 55 has been wound by the lrey 55, and released, the gear 59 in rotating will move the frame ,53 longitudinally on the inner circumferential portion of the annulus 41, it being guided by the grooved wheels 5l riding the edge portions of the anges 49, 5D. The effect of the weight 62 will caue the leading portion of the annulus to depress, thus imparting rotary motion yto the annulus, to the end that it rolls along the ground or other supporting surface. This forni of the invention also has Outrigger wheels 63 carried'by'arms 64 projecting'outwardly and downw'aidly'from the frame 53.

A further form of the invention is shown in Figure '1, wherein numeral 55 denotes an annulus, which may also have spaced `cut-outs in the side walls thereof, these being denoted by numeral 56. The inner circumference of the annulus 65 has inturned flanges 51, 58 against which ride, internal c ircumferentially grooved rollers 69, l@ respectively, the roller 59 hai/ine a puliey 1l formed thereof or attached thereto, the rollers 59, 15 and the pulley il being rotate able on pins 12, which depend from outstanding flanges 1S of a frame 14, which forms part of a motivating unit generally referred to by numeral 15,. On the frame 14 is a miniature toy cannon 16 projecting from a case 11, the latter containing a spring type motor, adapted to be wound by a key 15, this mechanism being conventional.

The conventional spring motor mechanism (not shown) has a drive shaft 19 on which is a small pulley and trained over this pulley 80 and the pulley 1l is an endless element 8|. This endless element 8l may extend to operate twov such wheels as the wheels 69, in which instance there would be a second pulley 1l.

Depending from the frame 14 is a lug 82 to which is secured a yoke 83 in which a rotatable balifshaped weight 84 is mounted. This form of the invention also has Outrigger arms 85 and supporting stabilizing wheels 8B.

In the operation of this form of the invention, the spring motor in the case 11 is wound by thev ley 13 and upon releasement of the spring mo- 4 tor, the shaft I9 is driven, this in turn, by way of the endless element 8|, drives the pulley or pulleys 1I and the grooved wheels 69, which results in the movement of the unit 15 along the flanges 61, B8, the weight 84 effecting, by gravitation, a rotary motion of the annulus 65.

It is to be understood that the cr-oss sectional shape or dimension of the annulus is immaterial and that the shape and material of the weight 84 or the ,corresponding weights in the other modifications are immaterial.

Various figures or war machine simulations may be used on each of the motivating units.

The device is not only thrilling and amusing in operation to children, but as well as for adults.

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

1. A toy comprising an annulus and a travel.- ing unit at the inner circumference of the auf nulus for imparting rotary motion to the annulus, said annulus being provided with spaced coplanar flanges at `its inner circumference, said unit being provided with rollers for riding said flanges, said rollers being circumferentially grooved to receive the edge portions of said iianges.

2. A toy comprising an annulus and a traveling unit at the inner circumference of the annulus for imparting rotary motion to the annulus, said what is annulus being provided with spaced coplanar iianges at its inner circumference, said units being provided with rollers for riding said flanges, said rollers being ,circumferentially grooved to receive the edge portions of said anges, and an Outrigger wheel connected to the traveling unit for stabilizing the annulus while in motion.

3. A toy comprising an annulus and a traveling unit at the inner circumference of the annulus for imparting rotary motion to the annulus, said REFERENCES CTED The following references are oi record in the idle of this patent:

UMTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 799,396 Mattson Sept. 12, 1905 1,064,141 Gorham June 10, 1913 1,118,341 Grant Nov. 24, 1914 '1,196,854 Giesecke Sept. 16, 1916 1,357,571 Knepper Nov. 2, 1920 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 444,652 France Aug. 13, 1912 

